Goal: Praise club’s members for rescuing animals from the Black Forest wildfire in Colorado.

The Black Forest Fire burning north of Colorado Springs forced thousands of people to evacuate and as a result many animals were left behind, including horses, small pets, and livestock. The massive wildfire burned over nine days and has been reported as the most destructive one in Colorado’s state history. Hundreds of animals were displaced and several died in the rapidly encroaching flames. To the rescue, dozens of members of the Kit Carson Riding Club volunteered to find animals left behind in the evacuation zone and transported them to the club’s headquarters where they were kept safe and given a chance to reunite with their owners.

The Kit Carson Riding Club has a long history of promoting horsemanship. Impressive animal rescue efforts can now be added to the club’s community interests. More than one hundred and fifty animals including chickens, sheep, goats, llamas, bunnies, dogs, cats, bulls, and horses were brought to the club by rescuers or evacuating homeowners. Some members of the club had tragically lost their own homes and pets to the fire but chose to spend the evacuation period helping to rescue animals in the Black Forest.

The animal rescuers faced many obstacles, including police who had been patrolling the areas for looters, and coaxing frightened, ornery animals who were hesitant to enter trailers and crates. However, many of the animals were successfully calmed by the patient and compassionate animal lovers. Dehydrated animals were given water for the first time in days since their owners had fled.

The Kit Carson Riding Club’s work has helped to reunite some of the animals with their owners. It has transferred unclaimed animals to Colorado Equine Veterinary Services in Peyton, Colorado, which has opened its clinic to animals who were displaced or injured by the fire.

Please sign this petition to applaud the club’s members for their heroic and humane animal rescue efforts.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Kit Carson Riding Club,

I would like to commend your members for their massive animal rescue efforts during the Black Forest Fire. You have touched the community by bravely taking the initiative to save pets and livestock left behind in the evacuation zone and providing a safe place for them at your club’s headquarters. Tragically many animals were separated from their owners during the mandatory evacuation, but your club’s hard work gave them a chance of being reunited.

My heart goes out to members of the Kit Carson Riding Club who had also lost their animals and homes to the wildfire. May they take comfort by the peace of knowing that they gave their own animals a loving home while they could. Despite their grief, they had the courage to go out of their way to rescue and care for animals in the community who needed them. Volunteering to save animals from disaster is heroic and inspires others to live up to their potential to relieve suffering. Your club has clearly fostered tremendous compassion in its members. Please continue to serve the community and its animals in need.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Alex Reese via Flickr

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